Oswine of Kent

Oswine (also: Oswin, Oswinus, Oswynus, Osuuinus ) was 688 bis 690/691 King in the eastern part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Kent. He came from the dynasty of Oiscingas. His parents are unknown, but he was probably a descendant Eormenreds.

Rule

In the year 686 the East Kent had come under the rule of Wessex and Caedwalla placed his brother Mul as a sub- king. The alliance with Wessex king Sighere of Essex prevailed in the West Kents. Already in 687 a rebellion broke out in the course of Mul and twelve of his followers were burned. Caedwalla once led a campaign of revenge against Kent. The West Kents, however, remained at Essex and was administered by Swæfheard ( 687/688-692/694 ).

Caedwalla abdicated in 688 and King Æthelred of Mercia took this opportunity to make its influence in the South East of England asserted. Presumably Oswine, which was apparently not considered by his contemporaries as the rightful king, used by Æthelred in 688 as king. Venerable Bede declared him one of the series of lively dubii vel externi ( " dubious and foreign kings " ), who ruled in Kent 686-690 / 691. Oswine clearly represented Mercian interests and ruled very clearly under the protection of Mercia. Although Oswine in the year 689 a charter supposedly " with his own hand " ( manu propria subscripsi ) signed, he seems to have been illiterate. He signed another charter with a simple cross, the " sign of the cross " ( signum crucis sancte feci ). Oswine and Swæfheard, the king in the western part of Kent, led a peaceful and equal cooperation. This is indicated by documents, which, reciprocally as an exhibitor and witness, bear the signatures of both kings. Already 690 or 691 was Oswine of Wihtred, the brother of the last " legitimate " King Eadric, overthrown. Wihtred was again brought a longer term after a series of very short-lived governments.

Swell

• S12, S13, S14